Bottle with recess

ABSTRACT

A bottle having a hose recess formed by an outer surface thereof, the hose recess configured to accommodate a hose.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to bottles. More particularly, it relatesto a water cooler bottle that has a recess for storing a hose.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Filtered water is generally preferred over tap water. Many peoplehave filters for their faucets which remove impurities from tap water.However, these filters sometimes have slow throughput, so when someoneis very thirsty they may not have the patience to wait for the filteredwater. Furthermore, water coming from a faucet must generally be run fora few moments before it is cold, leading to a significant amount ofwasted water.

[0003] Water coolers are also popular, in both offices and homes. Watercoolers generally employ refillable bottles with a flat bottom and aneck with an opening therein on top. A full bottle is flipped upsidedown and the neck is inserted into the cooler. Once the water has beendrained from the bottle, it is removed and replaced with another fullbottle. This process involves repetitive lifting and inverting of fullwater cooler bottles, which may cause injuries to those doing thelifting. Furthermore, a supply of full bottles must be maintained.

[0004] Many attempts have been made over the years to address the demandfor filtered water, and to minimize the inconvenience of having toreplace bottles. An early example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.3,653,413, which provides a pump apparatus and a hose for refilling awater bottle atop a cooler with water from a source bottle on theground. The inventor has noticed that systems such as this one areundesirable, since when not in use the hose will be in the user's way.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0005] The invention allows users to maximize the use of their waterfilters by providing apparatus and methods for directly filling a bottlefrom their water filters. The invention provides a bottle having a hoserecess formed in an outer surface thereof, the hose recess configured toaccommodate a hose used to refill the bottle with liquid.

[0006] The bottle may also have a refilling hole located at an upperportion of the bottle when the bottle is in use, and a plug configuredto plug the refilling hole. A plug recess configured to accommodate theplug may be formed in the bottle.

[0007] A plurality of tabs may be located along edges of the hose recessand configured to prevent the hose from falling out of the hose recess.Alternately, a ridge may be located along edges of the hose recess andconfigured to prevent the hose from falling out of the hose recess.

[0008] The bottle may further comprise an adaptor configured to connectthe hose to a filtered water source, and an adaptor recess configured toaccommodate the adaptor. The hose may comprises an accordian-style hoseor a telephone cord-style hose.

[0009] The bottle may further comprise a cap configured to cover a holein a neck thereof, and a cap recess configured to accommodate the cap.

[0010] The invention also provides a method of refilling a bottle havinga hose recess formed in an outer surface thereof, the hose recessconfigured to accommodate a hose used to refill the bottle with liquid,the method comprising: removing the hose from the hose recess; insertinga first end of the hose through a refilling hole in the bottle, therefilling hole located near an upper portion of the bottle when thebottle is in use; inserting an adaptor into a second end of the hose;connecting the adaptor to a liquid source; filling the bottle withliquid from the liquid source; removing the first end of the hose fromthe refilling hole; and, inserting a plug into the refilling hole. Themethod may further comprise the step of replacing the hose in therecess.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a water cooler bottle according toone embodiment of the invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side elevation view showing the water cooler bottle ofFIG. 1 being refilled.

[0013]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a water cooler bottle according toan alternate embodiment of the invention being refilled.

[0014]FIG. 4A depicts an accordian-style hose according to theinvention.

[0015]FIG. 4B depicts a telephone cord-style hose according to theinvention.

[0016]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a water cooler bottle according toanother embodiment of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a water cooler bottle according toanother embodiment of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a water cooler bottle according toanother embodiment of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a water cooler bottle according toanother embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION

[0020] Throughout the following description, specific details are setforth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of theinvention. However, the invention may be practiced without theseparticulars. In other instances, well known elements have not been shownor described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention.Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in anillustrative, rather than a restrictive, sense.

[0021]FIG. 1 shows bottle 10 according to the invention. Bottle 10 isprovided with hose recess 12 formed in the outer surface thereof, whichis configured to accommodate hose 14. Hose 14 has a bottle end 16 and afiltered water source end 18. Tabs 20 are preferably located along theedges of hose recess 12 to keep hose 14 in place. As one skilled in theart will appreciate, the number and placement of tabs 20 may be variedwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In thealternative, tabs 20 may be replaced by a continuous ridge (not shown)running along the edge of hose recess 12.

[0022] Refilling hole 22 is located near an end of bottle 10 oppositethe end where neck 13 is located. It is to be understood that refillinghole 22 is in an upper portion of bottle 10 when bottle 10 is in use inan inverted position, as shown in FIG. 2. Preferably, refilling hole 22is located in hose recess 12 adjacent bottle end 16 of hose 14.Refilling hole 22 has a diameter slightly larger than that of hose 14,allowing bottle end 16 of hose 14 to be snugly (although not airtightly)inserted into refilling hole 22. Plug 24 is used to plug refilling hole22 when bottle 10 is not being refilled. The portion of recess 12 nearrefilling hole 22 is sized so that a user may easily insert and removeplug 24 and hose 14 from refilling hole 22. Bottle 10 may comprise plugrecess 26 configured to accommodate plug 24. Tabs 20 are preferablylocated along the edges of plug recess 26 to keep plug 24 in place whenplug 24 is not in use.

[0023] Bottle 10 is preferably provided with a cap 11 to cover theopening in neck 13 when bottle 10 is not in use. Bottle 10 may comprisecap recess 28 configured to accommodate cap 11. Tabs 20 are preferablylocated along the edges of cap recess 28 to keep cap 11 in place whencap 11 is not in use. Bottle 10 may also comprise adaptor recess 30configured to accommodate adaptor 32. Tabs 20 are preferably locatedalong the edges of adaptor recess 30 to keep adaptor 32 in place whenadaptor 32 is not in use.

[0024] Adaptor 32 of the FIG. 1 embodiment is for use with a filteredwater source 40 comprising a faucet 44 as shown in FIG. 2. As oneskilled in the art will appreciate, the structure of adaptor 32 willdepend on the structure of filtered water source 40. Adaptor 32comprises hose insertion end 34 and filtered water source engaging end36. Sling 38 may be attached to filtered water source engaging end 36.It is to be understood that the specific structure of adaptor 32 may bevaried for use with different types of filtered water source 40 withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the invention. Adaptor 32facilitates refilling of bottle 10, as described below.

[0025]FIG. 2 shows bottle 10 being refilled from a filtered water source40. Bottle 10 is inverted and sits atop water cooler 42. In the FIG. 2embodiment, filtered water source 40 comprises faucet 44 supplied withfiltered water by means of pipes 46 from water filter 48.

[0026] To refill bottle 10, a user removes hose 14 from recess 12 andremoves plug 24 from refilling hole 22. Plug 24 may be placed in plugrecess 26. Bottle end 16 of hose 14 is inserted through refilling hole22. Hose insertion end 34 of adaptor 32 is inserted into filtered watersource end 18 of hose 14. Filtered water source engaging end 36 ofadaptor 32 is fitted over the end of faucet 44. Sling 38 may be securedover the top of faucet 44.

[0027]FIG. 3 shows a bottle 10 according to an alternate embodiment ofthe invention being refilled in the upright position. The FIG. 3embodiment comprises an optional secondary refilling hole 21 locatednear the top of bottle 10 (near the neck). Secondary refilling hole 21,as shown in the expanded circle in FIG. 3, is located in protrusion 23,around which bottle end 16 of hose 14 fits tightly. Secondary plug 25 isused to plug secondary refilling hole 21. Secondary plug recess 27 isconfigured to accommodate secondary plug 25. Secondary refilling hole 21could equally be located directly in the wall of bottle 10, withoutprotrusion 23, and sized to snugly accept hose 14.

[0028] Hose 14 is preferably flexible and extendible. Hose 14 maycomprise an accordian-style hose, as shown in FIG. 4A. Hose 14 may alsocomprise a telephone cord-style hose, as shown in FIG. 4B. Of course,hose 14 may simply comprise a flexible plastic tube (not shown).

[0029] FIGS. 5 to 8 illustrate alternate embodiments of bottle 10. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 5 has a square cross section. The embodimentshown in FIG. 6 has a hexagonal cross section. Each embodiment shown inFIGS. 5 to 8 has a differently shaped recess 12. The size and shape ofbottle 10 and recess 12 may vary greatly without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

[0030] As will be apparent to those skilled in the art in the light ofthe foregoing disclosure, many alterations and modifications arepossible in the practice of this invention without departing from thespirit or scope thereof. For example, while the Figures show bottleswith circular cross sections, any shape of bottle could be used.Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be construed in accordancewith the substance defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bottle having a hose recess formed in an outersurface thereof, the hose recess configured to accommodate a hose usedto refill the bottle with liquid.
 2. The bottle of claim 1 furthercomprising a refilling hole, the refilling hole located at an upperportion of the bottle when the bottle is in use.
 3. The bottle of claim2 further comprising a plug configured to plug the refilling hole. 4.The bottle of claim 3 further comprising a plug recess configured toaccommodate the plug.
 5. The bottle of claim 1 further comprising aplurality of tabs, the plurality of tabs located along edges of the hoserecess and configured to prevent the hose from falling out of the hoserecess.
 6. The bottle of claim 1 further comprising a ridge locatedalong edges of the hose recess and configured to prevent the hose fromfalling out of the hose recess.
 7. The bottle of claim 1 furthercomprising an adaptor configured to connect the hose to a filtered watersource.
 8. The bottle of claim 7 further comprising an adaptor recessconfigured to accommodate the adaptor.
 9. The bottle of claim 1 whereinthe hose comprises an accordian-style hose.
 10. The bottle of claim 1wherein the hose comprises a telephone cord-style hose.
 11. The bottleof claim 1 further comprising a cap configured to cover a hole in a neckthereof, and a cap recess configured to accommodate the cap.
 12. Thebottle of claim 1 wherein the bottle has a circular cross section. 13.The bottle of claim 1 wherein the bottle has a square cross section. 14.The bottle of claim 1 wherein the bottle has a hexagonal cross section.15. A method of refilling a bottle having a hose recess formed in anouter surface thereof, the hose recess configured to accommodate a hoseused to refill the bottle with liquid, the method comprising: (a)removing the hose from the hose recess; (b) inserting a first end of thehose through a refilling hole in the bottle, the refilling hole locatednear an upper portion of the bottle when the bottle is in use; (c)inserting an adaptor into a second end of the hose; (d) connecting theadaptor to a liquid source; (e) filling the bottle with liquid from theliquid source; (f) removing the first end of the hose from the refillinghole; and, (g) inserting a plug into the refilling hole.
 16. The methodof claim 15 further comprising the step of replacing the hose in therecess.